Friday, December 9, 2016

On #HumanRightsDay, stand up for the right to a clean and healthy environment

In marking World Human Rights Day this year, which
falls on 10th December, the United Nations is calling on everyone to stand up
for someone else’s rights. Such a call is indeed apt. Worldover, devastating
conflicts are forcing people to leave their homes, denying many of their basic
human rights, while issues such as violence against women and children, and
violence against minorities, have become serious human rights concerns. Yet,
there is another pressing human rights issue that is fast taking centre stage.
What about the right of every individual to a safe, clean, healthy, and
sustainable environment?

A safe and healthy environment is essential to
fully enjoy a wide range of human rights, including the right to life, health,
food, water, and sanitation. Environment degradation continues to impact human
health and wellbeing, threatening the rights, freedoms and dignity of millions
of people across the world. Did you know that more than 2 million deaths worldwideare as a result of environmental pollution?

Amidst such efforts by governments, Andrew Norton,
the Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development,
has called on the need to hear from the people who will be
the hardest hit, highlighting the urgent need to reach
the poorest and the most vulnerable. Therefore, this Human Rights Day, why not
join CoirGreen™ in stepping forward to
speak up for someone for their right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable
environment?